Escape



w. P. W'ESTFJIELD April 5, 1927.

Filed Dec.

Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES} PATENT OFFICE.

7 WILLIAM P. WESTFIELD, OI? IBARK'CITY, UTAH.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Application filed Deember 17, 1925. Serial No. 76,001.

The present invention relates to fire esto any of the windows.

A still further and important object is to so construct the apparatus that when not in use, it may be moved out of the way and does not interfere with the ordinary use of or view from the windows of the building to which it is applied.

The structure will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a building showing one form of the apparatus in place thereon and in operative position:

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the same.

The same reference numerals are employed to designate similar parts throughout the several figures.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, an ordinary fiat faced building 10 is shown having the usual windows 11. Upon the front of this building are placed upper and lower spaced sets of rails 12 and 12 secured to the wall by suitable brackets, as 13. Intermediate rails 12 may also be employed if desired.

A set of stairs or steps are associated with these rails, said set of steps comprising side bars 16 connected by lat treads 17. A railing 9 is attached to the outer side bar and constitutes a banister to be grasped by persons ascending or descending the steps. The upper ends of the side bars carry brackets let, upon the inner adjacent faces of which are journaled rollers 15, which run upon the upper rails 12. The lower end of the set of steps is preferably fitted on the outside of the lower rails 12 and has on the inner faces of the side bars 16 near their lower ends rollers which rest upon the lower rails. Intermediate rollers 15 journaled upon the side bars 16, bear upon the intermediate rails 12 a .The distance between the upper rollers 15 and the lower rollers 15 is greater than the distance between the main portions of the tracks 12 and 12 Therefore, the steps will be held at an inclination and in convenient position so that women and children can descend the same. In order, however, that the steps will be well out of the way as not to interfere with the windows under ordinary conditions, means are employed for suspending them vertically at the corners of the house. In the present in- 'tance, this is accomplished by raising one end of the upper set of rails, as shown at 12*, so that the distance between the rollers 15 and 15 will be substantially equal to the distance bet-ween the end 12 of the upper set and the corresponding portion of the lower set of rails. At the opposite ends this same result is obtained by depressing the ends 12 of the lower set, the result being that the steps can assume vertical positions at either corner of the building.

In order to operate the escape, cables 38 are employed, attached to the upper end of the set of steps and'passing over pulleys arranged contiguous to the ends of the upper rails, one of said pulleys being preferably located beneath the rail, the other being disposed above the same. The cables pass down to points convenient to be grasped by the firemen or other operators standing upon the ground.

If desired, the intermediate rails and rollers may be done away with, but when said intermediate rails are employed their opposite ends are respectively elevated and depressed as shown at to permit the vertical hanging of the stairs.

It will be evident that this structure may be readily applied to any ordinary building and when not in use will not materially interfere with the ordinary employment of the windows. But if a fire should break out so that the interior exits were cut off, the stairs may be readily brought across any of the windows and will afford. safe escape for the occupants of the building.

It will be understood that while the invention has been described in considerable detail, many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having, thus described my. invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by 'Letters Patent, is

1. In a fire escape thecoinbination )Vltll a plurality of horizontal supporting rails, of a set of steps having rollers attached thereto in engagement With the said rails, the said rollers being attached to the said steps at greater distances apart than the perpendicular distance between the said rails whereby the said steps are held inclined to the said rails, and one of the said rails having a raised horizontal end portion whereby the steps may be raised from engagement having rollers engaging all the said rails an dnnclined transversely wlth respect to the said supporting structure, the upper and intermediate rails having horizontal raised portions to support the said set of steps in a vertical position whereby :the :rollers .are raised from the lowest rail.

In testimony whereof I affiXiny signature.

lVILLIAM P. \VESTFIELD. 

